Former French PM Rocard takes ill

Former French prime minister Michel Rocard undergoes a medical check-up in a city hospital after he suddenly felt unwell.

Former French prime minister Michel Rocard, who is in Kolkata to attend a programme organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), had to undergo a medical check-up in a city hospital on Saturday after he suddenly felt unwell.

"Rocard was here to attend a programme at the West Bengal assembly. He suddenly felt unwell and so he was taken to the CMRI (Calcutta Medical Research Institute) hospital for a thorough check-up," ICCR regional director Anuja Chakravarty told IANS.

"He is fine now but has to undergo some tests. We took him to hospital after he told us he needs a check-up," Chakravarty said.

Rocard, 77, a member of the Socialist Party in France who served as prime minister under former president Francois Mitterrand from 1988 to 1991, later interacted with Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim among others. "The programme had to be cancelled. We regret that. I am enquiring about his health. I hope he is fine," Halim said.

The French politician, son of nuclear physicist Yves Rocard, is currently a member of the European Parliament.